Have to decide on one. ZT Sinkievich, Spyderco Positron, Spyderco Mantra 2

I will be the first to admit that I'm just not at all a fan of ZT knives. I don't like big, bulky knives and I always thought that their marketing campaign was just fluff. Not to mention that the prices of their knives are a bit high in my opinion. Now, in the last couple months I bought a 0450cf and traded for a 0450 and I absolutely love these knives. I don't think that I will buy any other ZT models because of the reasons stated, but it seems that the 450 and 450cf are priced very reasonable for a carbon fiber/titanium and a full titanium knife. These are perfect size for edc tasks and flip so very smooth. I lost my small Sebenza a week ago but the 450 that I traded for has stepped into the role filling that void nicely and making my loss a little easier to swallow. I never thought the day would come that I would have a ZT in my collection, let alone 2, so I'm glad to admit that these knives are great and I would highly recommend either version of the 0450.

I will say that the 0450cf I'm having issues keeping the pivot screw tight as it keep coming loose causing blade play and centering issues. I've tried to apply a small amount of locktite to fix this issue with no luck. I just don't want to use too much and gum up the bearings. That aside as I said they've been wonderful. If I were going to choose my favorite I would probably go with the full titanium 0450. I like a light knife, but the carbon fiber version is just a bit too light. I still like my knives to have a solid and sturdy feel to them without being too heavy. The regular 450 just feels a bit more solid and better put together and the blade flips open and close a little smoother than the CF, which is great for anyone buying one because it's $20 cheaper.

I'm a huge Spyderco fan, but in this case with the knives you've listed I have to tuck my tail between my legs and admit that the ZT is the way to go. Im actually a bit upset that I was so stubborn not to try these 450s sooner. Good luck OP.
 
Make sure you are giving the loctite a chance to dry and cure before you go messing with it.
 
CraigMang said:
Couldn't agree more, brother. The 0450 is a better looking piece...Sinkevich is a master of design, absolutely. But in real world use, I couldn't love it as much as I wanted to. The blade finish shows every tiny scratch, the need for a specialized grip to ensure 100% deployment was an annoyance and the grind indeed was better suited for stabbing than slicing. The Mantra 2 has better ergonomics, a more utilitarian blade shape, more useful flat grind and deep carry wire clip in addition to the minimal pocket profile.

Basically. If you want to look at your knife more than actually use it, get the 0450; if you're going to use it and want something that disappears in the pocket while not scaring people when deployed, get the M2. Unless you're constantly cutting wet/salty things and don't clean off your blade after use (as you should always do anyway), the M4 steel will serve you fine. Oh, and the scales are fairly grippy considering the titanium handles...more than enough for EDC use.
Click to expand...


fq55 said:
The Mantra 2 however was better made and the thin M4 blade was an insane slicer, it felt like there was no effort needed to cut through fruits veggies or fibrous materials. The Gemni was in between this two in terms of performance and fit and finish.

I will need to pick up another Mantra 2 at some point and recommend it highly.
Click to expand...

Not to derail the topic at hand, but feel both of you might like the last project I sent to Josh- the top one is so nice that I'm going to have to let go of the stock one:
y9uyQBC.jpg
 
I will give my vote to the mantra as well. Had the 0450 and it was too small for my hands for comfortable flipping. Plus the mentioned issue with the grind. Way too thick in the zt. The mantra... Slicey as hell, even without regrind.
 
vilePossum said:
I will give my vote to the mantra as well. Had the 0450 and it was too small for my hands for comfortable flipping. Plus the mentioned issue with the grind. Way too thick in the zt. The mantra... Slicey as hell, even without regrind.
Click to expand...

That's just how it is. Spyderco knives are no doubt some of the best slicers in the biz. As for the ZT, it all depends on how big your hands are because the grip fits into my hand as if it was made to custom fit. So obviously your mileage may vary.

I will say that the quality of the full titanium 0450 is a bit better than the other two knives mentioned here. It's all about personal taste on this one. And having the opportunity to maybe put these knives in your hand before buying will be a huge bonus.
 
I'd recommend the Spyderco Mantra 2 over the Positron or ZT 0450 any day. The ZT's blade is too thick and the logos are tacky. The Positron just doesn't feel right in the hand and is a little too delicate for my tastes. The Mantra 2 is perfect. Simple design, nice thin flat grind, amazing blade steel, feels great in the hand, great wire clip, flips beautifully.
 
Last edited:
Didn't see if the OP had made a decision or not. Out of the three, I'd definitely lean toward the ZT. But although the little 450 is an amazing knife and perfect flipping action, my favorite has been the heavy chunky Sinkevich 456. Sweet action, absolutely solid fit/finish/feel, great lockup, and very easy on the thumb to unlock. But even being in the Sinkevich family, it's a total 180 degrees from the little 0450/0450CF.

I have a love/hate relationship with my Positron. Love the size & weight, but had to modify the body to both minimize pain pressure points when holding and make unlocking not a complete pain in the apple. I had seen so many reports of the Mantra not flipping well and having dimpled washers, so I finally took apart my Positron to see if that is why it wouldn't flip. I discovered that the bearings are riding on an unevenly milled race on the blade. I didn't dare grind it, but tried polishing a bit before reassembly. Made no difference. Still requires a lot of wrist flick to open. I don't think these things wouldn't have bothered me as much if the price wasn't so dang high. Just doesn't meet expectations.

Now if you like flippers, as others have mentioned above, you really should put some of the Kizers in the mix also. I thought that ZT was the best of the few companies that have actually perfected flippers. But there are Kizers in the same price range of the cheapest ZT's that are some of the most amazing flippers I've handled. Yeah, I know I've left out a bunch. But just speaking to what I've owned, and still under the $200 mark.
 
I will update my previous statements. IMHO, and experience, Kizer and ZT make the best production ball bearing pivot flippers period. I've owned several ZT's, the 0801 was really nice to play with, but ridiculously poor for actual use, the blade is just too obtuse.

I've been looking at all of these knives now myself. I prefer the Mantra 1 blade shape, but to each their own. When I have the money, I'm going with that. I find that for the cost of the Positron, using S30V is a bit of a let down. If it were less expensive, that would make sense. I will take S35VN or M4 all day long.

I wish you luck, but from what everyone is saying and what my preferences are, the Mantra 1 is my choice.
 
Don't have the Mantra, but have both the 450 and Positron.

I would argue that if you are targeting a smaller knife, the Positron might win out...but in terms of performance, I would go with the 450. Really good action and feel in hand in my opinion.

As for "best flipping action on bearings in a production knife", I would say Reate. After them, agree 100% with K.O.D., ZT and Kizer both do a great job.
 
brancron said:
I'd recommend the Spyderco Mantra 2 over the Positron or ZT 0450 any day. The ZT's blade is too thick and the logos are tacky. The Positron just doesn't feel right in the hand and is a little too delicate for my tastes. The Mantra 2 is perfect. Simple design, nice thin flat grind, amazing blade steel, feels great in the hand, great wire clip, flips beautifully.
Click to expand...

What logos are tacky on the ZT? Just wondering because I have both the 0450 and the 0450cf sitting right here in front of me and I'm not seeing any huge or out of place logos. No more so than any knife that has the manufacturers marks on them. The regular 0450 doesn't even come with a ZT logo on the blade at all. They kept it off of that one. Just confused a bit by your statement and if OP hasn't had one in his possession he may think it's a billboard when it's really not, so I'm just trying to clarify so we don't have info floating around here that isn't true.
 
mjpgolf1 said:
What logos are tacky on the ZT? Just wondering because I have both the 0450 and the 0450cf sitting right here in front of me and I'm not seeing any huge or out of place logos. No more so than any knife that has the manufacturers marks on them. The regular 0450 doesn't even come with a ZT logo on the blade at all. They kept it off of that one. Just confused a bit by your statement and if OP hasn't had one in his possession he may think it's a billboard when it's really not, so I'm just trying to clarify so we don't have info floating around here that isn't true.
Click to expand...

I guess it's not super prominent on the 0450, but I'm not a fan of the logos on the handle and the clip. Here's my 0450:

7hRuGrU.png
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top